John F. Kearney, Professor, completed his Ph.D. studies in immunology at the University of Melbourne, Australia and carried out postdoctoral studies at UAB with Drs. Cooper and Lawton on in vitro models of immunoglobulin isotope switching. He joined the Microbiology staff in 1977 and has continued his studies on B cell differentiation. In 1978 he spent a year with Dr. Klaus Rajewsky in Cologne, Germany where he learned hybridoma technology and also isolated one of the most widely used fusing plasmacytomas. He has since exploited this technique as well as transgenic and knockout mice to dissect out complexities of immune regulation. His outside interests include road biking and gardening.

Research/Clinical Interest

Title

Focus on fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of a diverse B cell repertoire

Description

The Kearney laboratory research addresses the “hygiene hypothesis” that links the increase in autoimmune and allergic phenomena such as Type 1 diabetes and allergic asthma in humans to excessively sanitary conditions provided to our children early in life. These are significant public health problems worldwide, associated with an alarming decrease in the age of onset. These studies revolve around development of the immune system, immune responses to the pathogens and opportunistic pathogens (Bacillus anthracis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, groups A and B streptococci, Enterobacter cloacae, Aspergillus fumigatus) and in addition the application of monoclonal antibody techniques for spore detection of the bioterrorism agent Bacillus anthracis detection.